Temperatures are set to soar throughout the Inland Empire, prompting the National Weather Service to issue heat warnings for the region Tuesday.
An extreme heat warning was issued for the Coachella Valley, beginning 10 a.m. Tuesday and continuing until 8 p.m. Thursday. Meanwhile, a heat advisory was posted for the Riverside metropolitan area, starting at 10 a.m. Wednesday and concluding at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Those times may be adjusted.
“High temperatures on Wednesday will range from the mid 90s to 102 for inland (valleys), with 112 to 116 for the lower deserts,” the NWS said in a statement.
The agency said that a ridge of high pressure anchoring over the Four Corners area will begin to influence weather patterns in Southern California Tuesday, elevating temperatures about 10 degrees above average for this time of year.
The ridge is expected to start pushing northeast by the end of the week, slackening its grip and giving way to low pressure troughs that will allow for a return to seasonable temps, forecasters said.
For the two or three days of high heat, the NWS reminded residents to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun” during peak temperatures.
“As the high moves to the east, the flow across the area will become southeasterly by early next week, opening the area to at least a gradual influx of monsoonal moisture by early next week,” the Weather Service stated.
In the Coachella Valley Monday and Tuesday, highs will settle near 110, but on Wednesday and Thursday, they may top out around 115 or higher, with slight cooling going into the weekend. Lows will generally hover in the mid 80s all week long.
In Riverside metro, the daytime mercury will crest in the low 90s Monday and Tuesday, while on Wednesday and Thursday, highs will approach 100 degrees, with slight cooling for the weekend. Lows are expected to settle in the mid 60s all week.
The Temecula Valley will dodge the worst of the heat, with highs from Monday to Friday staying around 90, and lows in the low 60s.